Student recognized for quick response

Wednesday

Apr 30, 2008 at 12:01 AMMay 1, 2008 at 3:36 PM

Lawrence Holley, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, was presented with a certificate of appreciation April 18, recognizing the quick thinking and prompt action that kept a bus full of local students out of harm's way April 2.

Lawrence Holley, a senior at Hilliard Davidson High School, was presented with a certificate of appreciation April 18, recognizing the quick thinking and prompt action that kept a bus full of local students out of harm's way April 2.

Holley and his brother Charles, a freshman, boarded the bus at about 6:50 a.m. that morning, and it was rolling down Houchard Road when driver Chad Carter made a coughing sound, according to transportation coordinator Terry Timlin.

Holley looked up and saw Carter, 37, slumped in the driver's seat. He had passed out.

Holley immediately pulled the bright yellow emergency brake designed to bring the vehicle to an immediate stop. Using his cell phone, he called for help.

"He secured and stopped the bus and called for aid," Timlin said.

Carter was treated and released at an area hospital the same day and is now home recovering, Timlin said. He added that Carter had no history of similar health incidents.

"He has been deactivated, until he is able to secure approval from his physician to return to work," Timlin said. "We have to ensure he is medically fit."

A physician representing the school district will also have to approve Carter's return to the job and the Ohio Department of Education will reactivate his chauffeur's license.

Carter is a substitute bus driver, Timlin said. He came to work for the district in 2006 as a substitute bus aide and became a bus driver this school year, he said.

Following the incident, Timlin notified Davidson principal John Bandow that the transportation department wanted to recognize Holley at the high school for his quick thinking and decisiveness.

"The bus never left the road," Timlin said. "It was an unfortunate incident brought to a safe ending."

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